Gaga Pit and Sports Arena

ABSTRACT

A portable, lightweight structure comprised of multiple hinged panels suitable for use as a “gaga pit” as well as other sports and games. The panels are comprised of tubular frames held together by hinged connectors at each corner. A net stretched across the frame using elastic shock cords around the perimeter provides an interactive playing surface against which a ball or other sports object can rebound. Panels are connected using a hinge pin which provides a pivot point as well as enables quick and easy assembly and disassembly without the use of tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a structure for game play. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable, lightweight structure comprised of multiple hinged panels suitable for use as a “gaga pit” as well as other sports and games.

The game of gaga has been played for decades. Related to dodge ball, it involves participants in a low walled “gaga pit” trying to eliminate competitors from play by striking them with a ball from the waist or knees down to the feet. Playing in a gaga pit contains the ball in the field of play and also provides a means for players to strategically try to bounce the ball off of the pit walls as an alternative to hitting opponents directly. Recently, the game has experienced renewed popularity as a recreational activity at camps, schools, gyms, and churches/synagogues. A major reason for the increase in gaga's popularity is that participants aim for the lower legs rather than the head and upper body as in dodge ball.

Traditionally, the game has been played in gaga pits which are heavy permanent or semi-permanent structures made of wood, wood and metal, metal, heavy plastic, or inflatables. These structures often require a substantial investment in time and money to plan, acquire and construct. Although some are marketed as “portable”, the reality is that they weigh hundreds of pounds, often require tools to assemble and disassemble, are not easily carried by even a strong person, and require considerable effort to move and store. As a result, the gaga pits are almost exclusively constructed for commercial and institutional use with very limited penetration of the residential market. Once assembled, they tend to stay in place so that the enclosure requires dedicated space.

Traditional pits have been constructed using anywhere from six to twenty or more walls, but typically employ a fixed, unvarying angle of attachment to adjoining walls (e.g., an octagonal pit with all walls fixed at 45 degree angles to each other).

Furthermore, the size of the pit remains static regardless of the number of players and the shape of the pit remains constant even if the participants want to vary the game being played.

The materials typically used in traditional gaga pits are inflexible, opaque, solid materials which cause the ball to decelerate when it rebounds off the walls. The solid walls also prevent onlookers from viewing the game unless they are positioned near enough or at a high enough elevation to see the action inside. Furthermore, the solid walls are more susceptible to damage from high winds and require considerable drying time after inclement weather.

Collapsible net structures have been in existence for a number of years and for different purposes, however many are made from heavy materials and are commonly used for crowd control or sectioning off certain areas. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5, 402,988 [Eisele] “Portable Fence” discloses a portable fence to define a boundary of an existing baseball or softball field or provide crowd control boundaries and uses rigid plastic chain link style fencing. Additionally, Eisele discloses a much more complex system of fencing to assemble than the present invention and does not disclose a method of play that integrates the portable fence into the game, as the present invention does. Further, Eisele discloses a fence designed to break away when contacted so as to avoid injuries, thus making it unsuitable for use as an integral part of play, unlike the present invention which uses the rebounding action of the wall panels to enable and enhance the game. U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,118 [Jacobson, et al.] “Playing Court” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,166 [Trott] “Playing Court and Method of Use” disclose unique open or enclosed permanent playing courts of specific static shapes. Neither invention discloses a portable system of play which can be played anywhere, nor which can be varied in size a and shape as the present invention does. Further, Jacobson, et al. and Trott disclose unique rules for specific games to be played within the enclosures, unlike the present invention, which can be used for variations of the game gaga as well as other sports and games.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,277 [Leonard et al.] “Kick Ball Game and Apparatus kit therefor” discloses a game of play particularly for kick ball between opposing teams divided into team zones and including a goal at each end through which the ball is to be is kicked and wherein the playing surface is enclosed by a fabric type mesh net to contain the ball within the playing surface. Leonard et al., does not disclose an apparatus capable of being assembled in a variety of shapes and does not disclose the use of shock cords to provide an active rebounding net, like the present invention. Additionally, Leonard et al., discloses a specific rectangular formation and playing surface and a specific game of play, which is different from that disclosed in the present invention.

Therefore, there is a need for new social, physical activities and sports which do not require the level of organization of traditional sports such as baseball and soccer Children are no longer allowed to roam freely or ride bikes unattended as in past generations. Additionally, children's diabetes and other adverse health effects of being sedentary are on the rise. Many parents are conflicted by the time required to involve their children in such traditional organized sports and the desire that their children not spend an inordinate amount of time playing video games and watching television. The present invention fulfills this need by providing a social game that is easily learned which does not require mastering basic skills such as dribbling or batting and eradicates the need for referees or adult organizers. Additionally, the fast pace of the game makes it suitable to the short attention span of many children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward a portable, lightweight structure comprised of multiple hinged panels suitable for use as a “gaga pit” as well as other sports and games. The panels are comprised of tubular frames held together by hinged connectors at each corner. A net stretched across the frame using elastic shock cords around the perimeter provides an interactive playing surface against which a ball or other sports object can rebound. Panels are connected using a hinge pin which provides a pivot point as well as enables quick and easy assembly and disassembly without the use of tools. Gaga can be played together by multiple ages from four to six year olds to adults.

Furthermore, the ease of attaching multiple panels allows reconfiguration of the size and overall shape of the structure. Additional panels can be added to provide entry/exit from the enclosure using a lower height panel. Other specialized panels can provide a sports goal by replacing the stretched net with a loose net designed to retain rather than rebound a ball, puck, etc. Each panel is designed to be lightweight so that one person may easily construct or take apart the structure. The components of the structure are made from weather resistant, UV protected materials to enable use both outdoors and indoors in suitable size room such as a gymnasium, cafeteria, basement or garage.

The lightweight panels are easily assembled by even a single person without the use of any tools. The structure can be deployed on any relatively flat surface, including grass, dirt, driveways, garage floors, basement floors, wood, or carpeting. Each panel consists of a tubular frame assembled by inserting the tube ends into corners brackets which also constitute hinges when attached to adjoining panels by use of a hinge pin passed through the hinge bracket. When thus assembled, the hinge pin also creates the pivot point which allows the panels to be assembled at varying angles to each other, thus allowing from a minimum of four to as many panels as desired to be employed in forming the enclosure. The pivoting hinges also allow the enclosure to take on various shapes (i.e., square, rectangle, octagon, decagon, etc., or even any irregular shape desired) to fit the space being utilized for the pit or to vary the type of game being played. The field of each panel consists of a UV resistant, high quality net attached to the tubing around each panel's perimeter using elastic shock cords to provide a spring-like rebounding surface.

Panels will range from approximately 1.8 meters or six feet in length and 0.91 meters or three feet height, which form the pit walls, to approximately 1.8 meters or six feet in length and 0.61 meters or two feet in height for one or more panels, which form entry/exit points around the enclosure. For younger players, a pit may be constructed solely of panels which are 0.61 meters or two feet in height. A larger, commercial grade of the pit may also utilize longer walls of 2.4 meters to 3.7 meters or 8 to 12 feet in length.

Specialized panels incorporating loosely fitted nets to form goals or with cutouts or hinged sections to form doors may also be added to the enclosure. The construction of the panels makes them suitable for both residential use and commercial use where space is not available to permanently dedicate to the game of gaga.

Thus, for example, a commercial gym may easily set up a gaga pit in a multi-use area such as a basketball court, and later remove and store it to use the space for other activities.

In residential use, the ease of assembly and storage can facilitate removing the structure for reasons such as lawn care, parking a car in the garage, etc. or even transporting the pit for use at other locations.

Panels can be stored either intact or further disassembled by detaching the v elastic shock cords and removing the tubes from the corner bracket/hinges. The rebounding nets used to form the surface of the walls creates a more responsive and active playing surface. In addition, they facilitate supervision of the participants and viewing by spectators from a greater distance and lower viewing angle than is afforded by traditional solid walled pits. The nets also allow wind to pass through the panels more easily, making the pit more resistant to damage or being dislocated by moderate strength winds.

Furthermore, nets allow for greater airflow than solid walls, allowing the pit to dry out faster after inclement weather.

The present invention overcomes the limitations of traditional gaga pits and provides a structure that enhances the game of gaga to a new level of speed and strategy using actively rebounding net panels. These truly portable, high quality active pits can be used for multiple other games as well mini arena soccer, football, hockey, handball, and new games that children create.

These together with other objects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TO DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and effects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1—is a perspective view of a portable, lightweight panel structure for a gaga pit or other sport and game constructed in accordance with the present invention set up use.

FIG. 2—is an enlarged perspective view of a corner of a portable, lightweight panel structure for a gaga pit or other sport and game constructed in accordance with the present invention set up for use.

FIG. 3—is an exploded view showing hinge connector and hinge pin passing through hinge connectors.

FIGS. 4A-4C—are perspective views of the portable, lightweight panel structure for a single residential panel, a single commercial panel and a single door panel respectively, which can be interchanged and intermixed in various configurations.

FIG. 5A-D—are a perspective view of the present invention set up in various configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 is a portable, lightweight panel structure 10 for a gaga pit or other sport and game constructed in accordance with the present invention set up for use. The structure 10 can be deployed on any relatively flat surface, including grass, dirt, driveways, garage floors, basement floors, wood, or carpeting. The structure 10 having mesh fabric rebounding nets 18 used to form the surface of the walls creates a more responsive and active playing surface.

In FIG. 2 there is shown an enlarged perspective view of a corner of a portable, lightweight panel structure 10 of the present invention having a tubular frame 12, a plurality of hinged connectors 14, an elongated hinge pin 16, a mesh fabric net 18 which allows for greater airflow than solid walls, and a multitude of elastic shock cords 20.

The panel structure 10 is comprised of a tubular frame 12 which are assembled together by inserting the tube ends into the multiple hinged connectors 14 at each corner, which when attached to adjoining panels 10 by use of the elongated hinge pin 16 passed through the hinge connector 14 constitute hinges. When assembled, the elongated hinge pin 16 also creates the pivot point which allows the panels 10 to be assembled at varying angles to each other, thus allowing from a minimum of four to as many panels 10 as desired to be employed in forming the enclosure.

The net 18 is stretched across the frame 12 and fastened with the elastic shock cords 20 around the perimeter of the frame 12 against which a ball or other sports object can rebound. The components of the panel structure 10 are made from weather resistant, UV protected materials to enable use both outdoors and in basements and garages.

Shown in FIG. 3 are the hinge connectors 14 and elongated hinge pin 16 passing through the hinge connectors 14 while also showing attachment of the tubular frame 12 is to the hinge connector 14. The panels 10 are connected by the elongated hinge pin 16, which provides a pivot point as well as enables quick and easy assembly and disassembly without the use of tools.

FIGS. 4A-4C show the portable, lightweight panel structure 10 for a single residential panel, a single commercial panel and a single door panel respectively, which can be interchanged and intermixed in various configurations. The ease of attaching multiple panels 10 allows reconfiguration of the size and overall shape of the structure. Additional panels 10 can be added to provide entry/exit from the enclosure using a lower height panel 10. Other specialized panels 10 can provide a sports goal by replacing the stretched net 18 with a loose net 18 designed to retain rather than rebound a ball, puck, etc.

Each panel 10 is lightweight so that one person may easily construct or take apart the structure 10 without the use of tools. Panels 10 range from approximately 1.8 meters or six feet in length and 0.91 meters or three feet in height, which form the pit walls, to approximately 1.8 meters or six feet in length and 0.61 meters or two feet in height for one or more panels 10, which form entry/exit points around the enclosure.

For younger players, a pit may be constructed solely of panels 10 which are 0.61 meters or two feet in height. A larger, commercial grade version of the present invention may utilize longer panels 10 of 2.4 meters to 3.7 meters or 8 to 12 feet in length.

Panels 10 can be stored either intact or further disassembled by detaching the elastic shock cords 20 and removing the tubular frame 12 from the hinged connectors 14.

FIGS. 5A-D show the portable, lightweight panel structure 10 of the present invention set up in various configurations. The panel structure 10 allows for an enclosure to take on various shapes (i.e., square, rectangle, octagon, decagon, etc., or even any irregular shape desired) to fit the space being utilized for the pit or to vary the type of game being played. Specialized panels 10 incorporating loosely fitted nets 18 to form goals or with cutouts or hinged sections to form doors may also be added to the enclosure. 

1. A portable, lightweight panel structure suitable for use as a gaga pit or other sports and games comprised of: a tubular frame; a plurality of hinged connectors; an elongated hinge pin; a net stretched across said frame; and a plurality of elastic shock cords fastened to said frame.
 2. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, being cable of connecting to another panel by said elongated hinge pin providing a pivot point enabling quick and easy assembly and disassembly.
 3. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, wherein said tubular frame is held together by said hinged connectors at each corner of said tubular frame and insertion of said elongated hinge pin through said hinge connector.
 4. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, upon assembly of panel structure said elongated hinge pin creating a pivot point allowing panel assembly at varying angles to each other.
 5. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1 having at least four panels to form an enclosure.
 6. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, wherein said net is fastened with said elastic shock cords to perimeter of said frame against which a ball or other sports object can rebound.
 7. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1 being made from weather resistant, UV protected materials.
 8. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, being interchangeable and intermixable in a multitude of configurations.
 9. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, being capable of construction and deconstruction without the use of tools.
 10. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1, wherein panels are at least two feet or 0.61 meters in height and at least six feet or 1.8 meters in length and having at least one entry/exit points.
 11. The portable lightweight panel structure of claim 1 being capable of being stored either intact or further disassembled by detachment of said elastic shock cords and removal of said tubular frame from said hinged connector.
 12. The portable, lightweight panel structure of claim 1, being capable of formation in various configurations including square, rectangle, octagon, decagon, etc., or any irregular shape. 